Aim: What are the characteristics of political ideologues? Do Now: Do you agree with the results of the ideology quizzes you have taken? What factors may have influenced your ideology?

Political Ideology: Coherent and consistent set of beliefs about who ought to rule, what principles rulers ought to obey, and what policies rulers ought to pursue. Moderates: largest group Moderates: largest group Conservatives: second largest Conservatives: second largest Liberals: smallest Liberals: smallest

Pure liberals are liberal on economic policy and personal conduct: Pure liberals are liberal on economic policy and personal conduct: –tax the rich heavily –allow abortions –protect the rights of the accused –broad freedoms of speech and press –more likely to be young, college-educated, and either Jewish or nonreligious. Pure conservatives: conservative on both economic and conduct issues Pure conservatives: conservative on both economic and conduct issues –cut back on welfare state –allow the market to allocate goods and services –keep taxes low –lock up criminals – more likely to be older, richer, White, and live in the Midwest.

Libertarians are conservative on both economic issues and more liberal on social affairs Libertarians are conservative on both economic issues and more liberal on social affairs –want small, weak govt. that will stay out of people’s private lives –more likely to be young, college-educated, White, have higher incomes, and live in the West. Populists are liberal on economic matters and conservative on social ones Populists are liberal on economic matters and conservative on social ones –want the govt. to regulate personal conduct –lock up criminals –permit school prayer –control business –likely to be older, poorly-educated, poorer, religious, female, and live in the South or Midwest

Political Elites: People with access to a disproportionate amount of resources (money, education, prestige, political power, athletic ability). Political Elites: People with access to a disproportionate amount of resources (money, education, prestige, political power, athletic ability). –Also known as activists: people who get involved in politics Political Elites establish norms for people to follow Political Elites establish norms for people to follow –Help to establish public policy and shape opinions

What issues cause cleavages of opinion? What is a “Latte Democrat” and a “NASCAR Republican?” AKA – The “Wine and Cheese Set” AKA – “Joe Six-pack”

Issues:  We often associate Republicans with the wealthy, and Democrats with the working class.  However:  Issues such as: Death Penalty, Abortion, Racism, Same-Sex Marriage, Gun Control, international foreign policy, and war are not necessarily economic issues  Issues classified as economic would be: labor unions, worker safety, minimum wage, unemployment, taxes, corporate and banking regulations.

Cleavages and Demographics  Women, African-Americans, Jewish, Catholic, Blue-Collar – tend to vote Democrat  Protestants, white-collar (high income), regular church going – tend to vote Republican  Higher levels of education tend to make people more liberal (but not necessarily Democrats)

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